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The Tampa Bay Lightning will not be going to the playoffs this season, but that doesn't mean they're going away quietly. Tampa Bay defeated the Washington Capitals 4-2 on Monday to tighten the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Lightning hope that they will be able to end the season on a strong note with their last two games on the road. The first of those two games is against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. If they are going to do that, they have to defeat a team that has outscored the Lightning 17-5 in the three games they have played against each other this season.
Steven Stamkos, the league leader in goals with 58, has one against Toronto this season. They will need him to help buck the trend of the Lightning's road woes. Tampa Bay has been a paltry 12-22-5 on the road this season, which has been a big reason why the Lightning will not be in the playoffs this season.
The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. from Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Television coverage will be provided by Sunshine Network.